The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has helped countless young people on their sometimes difficult path to adulthood.
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
What is the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE)?
A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers.
The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.
14-24 year-olds can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.
Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and university and job applications. Top employers recognise the work-ready skills Award holders bring to their business. (Information taken from the official DofE website).
Key Dates
| 7th March 2026 | Bronze | Training Day |
| 26th-28th March 2026 | Silver | Practice Expedition |
| 27th-28th June 2026 | Bronze | Assessed Expedition |
| 16th-18th July 2026 | Silver | Assessed Expedition |
If you have any questions regarding Trinity's DofE Awards programme please email the DofE Team: hsullivan@trinitysevenoaks.com, iholvey@trinitysevenoaks.com
Useful Information
Bronze Expedition:
Year 9 Bronze Award Parent Letter 2025-26
Bronze-Information-Pack-2025-26
Silver Expedition:
Year 10 Silver Award Parent Letter 2025-26
Year 10 Silver Assessed 2025-26 - Change of Date
Silver-Information-Pack-2025-26
DofE Parents/Carers Information Booklet
DofE Award Timescales: Timescales
Programme Ideas: Complete List 2025
Activity Logs: Activity Log
Assessors Reports: Assessor's reports can be submitted directly onto eDofE click here. Award-Verifier Checklist
We are so incredibly proud of all of the DofE students who have helped their community and improved themselves through completing their DofE activities.
This characterises the spirit of Trinity students, showing love by serving their community and excellence in self-development.
Thank you for all your hard work!
Mr Holvey
2025/26
We currently have 137 students participating in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. 81 Year 9 students are working towards their Bronze Award, 41 Year 10 students participating in Silver and 15 Year 12 & 13 students working towards their Gold Award.
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Year 9 Bronze Training Day - Saturday 7th March Over 80 students participated in a Duke of Edinburgh training day. Led by the team at E3 Adventures, the purpose of the day was to give students an idea of what to expect from their upcoming expedition in June and prepare them for the challenges ahead. The day began with a briefing followed by a training walk around the Sevenoaks (Wilderness and Knole) area, overseen by the E3 team and Trinity staff. Students had the opportunity to practise important skills such as map reading, navigation and working effectively as part of a team and discussed how to stay safe and organised while walking. During the afternoon session a range of training activities took place at school including basic first aid, equipment and kit, correctly packing rucksacks, puting up tents, using Trangia stoves, food and menu planning. Students found the training demanding but gave them the confidence they will need to complete their expedition in the summer. The DofE team are very proud of all students that took part for their enthusiasm, have a go attitude and exemplary behaviour. |
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Year 10 Silver Training Expedition, Ashdown Forest Thursday 26th- Saturday 28th March 37 Year 10 students spent three days navigating various parts of the Ashdown Forest. Students had to plan their routes, carry their own equipment and working together as they navigated unfamiliar terrain. At camp they were responsible for putting up tents, preparing and cooking their own meals and keeping the site clean and tidy. Students were tired, cold, wet and found the weekend challenging yet rewarding. By the end of the expedition, all students felt proud of what they had achieved and more confident in their ability to cope with challenges, making the experience both memorable and meaningful. The DofE team are very proud of all students that took part for their enthusiasm, resilience and exemplary behaviour. |
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Student Success
Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Celebration Event, Buckingham Palace – Friday 19th May 2023.
Former student Isabel Sullivan attended the Gold Award Celebration which took place in the beautiful gardens of Buckingham Palace Garden hosted by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
This special event was shared with fellow Awardees and was an opportunity to dress up, be inspired by other young people and various guest speakers who included Jill Scott MBE and John Simpson CBE. Joined by Military Bands with games on the lawn and a visit to the tea tent made it a very special occasion.
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Congratulations to Isabel and fellow students Adam Bignell, Harry Loughnane and Thomas Mitchell who completed their Trinity Duke of Edinburgh’s Award journey obtaining Gold in 2022/2023.
“Thank you so much for the time given to the DofE Bronze students this weekend and the trial-run weekend! We are really pleased our daughter took on the challenge and despite being one of the slowest walkers (and possibly ‘challenging’ in her attitude!) we know she had a great time walking with her friends and camping! (…even in the rain!). We know that these experiences can’t go ahead without the support of staff and we are very appreciative of the time you gave and ask if you could please extend our thanks to the other members of staff who helped out.”
Year 10 parent
